1936 Chrysler Custom Imperial Airflow C11 Sedan Limousine

The 1936 Chrysler Custom Imperial C-11 was powered by a 323.5 cubic-inch straight-eight engine offering either 130 or 138 horsepower, depending on the configuration. It had a larger, 137-inch wheelbase, and offered in two body styles either a 5-passenger Sedan or a 7-passenger sedan limousine. Neither body style sold in high numbers, with just 38 examples of the sedan and 37 of the limousine finding buyers.

For 1936, the C-11 was given a new grille, an all-steel top, a hump-back luggage compartment (which was introduced to all Airflows for 1936), and egg-crate hood trim.

The C-11 variant of the Airflow was introduced on February 5th of 1936. It was an exclusive body style offered as a Custom Imperial and carried the unusual Art Deco styling of the Airflow design. It was an aerodynamically designed vehicle that was ahead of its time.

This C-11 limousine is the only example known to still exist. It was bought new in February of 1937 from a large San Francisco dealership. By 1951, it was in the car of two elderly women who were regularly chauffeured while performing their errands.

Mr. Jim Weston purchased the car in July of 1968 and would keep it for many years. He took it to numerous local events, such as the 1987 50th Anniversary celebration of the Golden Gate bridge, the 1990 CCCA's Grand Classic, and annual Airflow Club meetings throughout the 1990s.

In 1986, the car was given a re-chroming.

The current owner purchased the car in April 2001. Since then, it has been freshened both mechanically and cosmetically without disturbing its originality. The work included removing of the oil pan and cleaning the engine, rebuilding the brakes, carburetor, generator, and other accessory components, and flushing the radiator. The undercarriage, engine compartment, interior, and paintwork were also cleaned and detailed, and new blackwall tires were installed. The car currently has 61,000 miles.

In 2009, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held at Pebble Beach, CA. It was expected to sell for $75,000 - $95,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for the sum of $27,500 including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2010